IUCN threat status:

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

A little-known shark of the upper continental slope reported at depths of 400 to 925 m (Compagno in prep. b) and 250 to 500 m off Northern and Central Chile (González 2001, Acuña and Villarroel 2002). Females never observed. Mature males reported at 51 to 59 cm total length (TL) (Compagno in prep. b).

Apristurus species are relatively small, sluggish sharks that live on or near the bottom. Diet includes crustaceans (penaeid shrimps, euphausiids), squids and small fishes. Where known reproduction is oviparous with one egg per oviduct. Eggcases are usually thick-walled and about 5 to 6.8 cm long and 2.5 to 2.9 cm wide. The anterior end of the case has a long weak fibrous thread on each corner. The posterior end usually has two small processes, each with a long coiled tendril. As in shallow water scyliorhinids the coiled tendrils are probably used to attach the egg cases to hard substrates and/or biogenic structures as they are laid.